Kays Translations

Chapter 3: The Strongest Onmyoji Stands Out

　Karen-sensei showed up in the auditorium about half an hour behind schedule.

　She's a calm elderly woman with long black hair, but she seems to be in a hurry today.

"I'm sorry, I'm a little late. Many of you may not know this. Actually, around this time, ice is sold from the northern part of the empire. Rodnea's  confectionery shops use it..."

　From there, Ms. Cullen spent another half an hour or so giving an overview of Rodnea's famous ice cream treats and how difficult it is to buy the products from the venerable confectioner and how hard she had to work to get them, and the class began a full hour or so late.

"Today we will discuss 'curses,' which is a rather special field of dark magic. The most famous one is ......."

　Professor Karen's lecture was very interesting.

Curses in this world are said to fall into two main categories.

　The first is those that harm the user by applying magic to swords, armor, ornaments, and other items. These are so-called curses.

　The other is a direct curse on the user. A curse mark appears on the target's body, usually with a powerful effect.

　… Frankly speaking, both seem to be insanely difficult to handle.

　Cursed items existed in my previous life, but most of them were accidental creations. What are we supposed to do with them? Do you give them to the person you want to curse?

　The latter seems to be strong, but it is said that you have to get close to cast a curse. You can do that with a bow or a sword. You can kill them physically.

　I also nodded to the fact  that 'curses' in this world are minor.

　In fact, even Karen, an instructor of dark attribute magic exercises, is not a specialist in curses.

　Four-attribute magic seems to be too specialized against monsters, and in the first place, the concept is quite different from the magic of my previous life.

　"Curse" was one of the leading roles of magic in my previous life.

　From a great distance, you can disguise yourself as a diseased person and use a technique that is certain to kill.

　It has a few drawbacks, but there is no more powerful art when it comes to people against people.

　Different cultures have different magic.

"It's almost time to go. I think it's time to call it a day."

　The class ends on a good note, but I don't think it's going as planned.

　Just as everyone was putting away their pens and pencils to get ready for the next class, Karen-sensei suddenly said something like this.

“Also, I have a message for you all. All lectures in the next ten days will be cancelled. Every year on that day, a ceremony is held to commemorate the opening of the school, so everyone will be absent.”

　The auditorium buzzed.

　Some cheered.

　A ceremony. It was probably a ceremony for the bigwigs, with aristocrats, government officials, and the like.

"However, I need two students to assist me. Amu-san and Ifa-san."

"Eh, me?"

　A surprised voice rose next to me.

　Karen-sensei continues with a smile.

"The first and second placed successful students will be asked to bring a parchment scroll with the names of this year's admitted students to the Rodnea Forest, prior to the celebration, on the same day."

　A shrine in the forest?

“As you all know, the origins of the Academy City of Rodnea is the forest of Rodnea, which is a treasure trove of rare medicinal herbs, and the great sage and his disciples who set up their residences beside it. Deep in the forest there are temple ruins of those who lived here in ancient times, and it has been said that various medicinal herbs may have been artificially collected, and that what nurtured them was some kind of magical power source left behind in the ruins. ......"

　The teacher continues

"The Great Sage and his disciples paid the utmost respect to the Temple, although the authenticity of the story is doubtful. Even after the founding of the school, this philosophy was carried on, and even today, every year at the time of the ceremony, the new students with the highest grades are required to go to the temple for worship.”

“What exactly is this worship?”

　Amu raises her voice while resting her chin.

“It’s just as I said earlier. Parchment scrolls with the names of the new students are placed in the temple ruins, that's all. The worship is just a formality. Then we bring back last year's parchment scrolls and that's it."

"Where in the forest is the temple located?"

"It will take some time, but it's within walking distance. Don't worry too much, Amu-san. It's an annual event."

“I see. I'm glad to hear that."

　Amu closes her eyes and says.

　I wonder, isn't she a surprisingly cautious character?

　But... I don't understand.

　Forests are inherently dangerous places.

　The managed Rodnea Forest is probably one of the few exceptions.

　However, there had just been an attack by the demon tribe. I had a bad feeling about entering that forest where Galeos had his base at such a time.

　And then there is the matter that I am concerned about.

　That's right. here I go……

"But it's a traditional event and very prestigious. On the day of the event, you can go to ......."

"Sensei"

　I raised my hand and interrupted the teacher.

"Oh yes. What is it, Lamprog-san?"

"If one of them withdraws, will the other go into the forest alone?"

"No... In that case, I'll have to ask the third-placed student to act as a substitute. The Rodnea forest is also inhabited by weak monsters, so it is not ...... possible for one person to go alone."

"I see. Thank you."

　I turned to Ifa and dared to speak in a tone that could be heard by those around me.

"Ifa. Decline."

　The auditorium buzzed.

　Ifa looks blank for a moment, thinks for a while, and then speaks in a sad tone.

"Eh, but Seika-kun. I'd like..."

"Didn't you hear me? I told you to decline."

"……understood"

　Ifa stands up and bows to Karen-sensei.

"I'm sorry, sensei. But I can't accept your offer"

"... What is it?" "Do you really want to go to a ceremony?" "I'm sure you're disappointed that you were defeated by a slave" "a disgrace to the nobility" "a concubine's child without magic power."

　The noise grew louder.

　Karen-sensei also frowned.

"Lamprog-san. I am not very impressed with such an act."

"It's a traditional event, isn't it? If that's the case, you shouldn't have a slave do it. I, the third placed, will take over, sensei."

　With that, I got up from my seat and left the auditorium.

　Ifa chased after me in a hurry.

****

"I'm sorry Ifa. Did you want to attend the ceremony?"

"No. Not really."

　I asked Ifa as we walked along the street outside, and she shook her head as usual.

"It seemed like Seika-kun was showing off, so I just got on board."

"Oh, I knew you were hyping it for me."

　I've been thinking this since I taught her to study, but she's smart.

"Hey, why did you do that? Seika-kun, you don't really care about the ceremony, do you?"

"Is that what you think of me? You're right though."

“I knew it…it was for Amu-chan's sake?”

　Ifa says with some hesitation.

"Did you purposely stand out so that Amu-chan won't say anything more about you?"

"Well, I guess that's part of the reason."

"..."

　Ifa was silent for a moment and then asked in a whisper.

"... Seika-kun, do you like that kind of girl?"

"eh?"

“Because you've always been obsessed with Amu-chan…she’s beautiful isn't she. She’s slender and has beautiful hair…”

After being dumbfounded for a while, I couldn't help but laugh.

"No no. I just want to be friends."

“Why? She's not from a great noble family and she says terrible things…."

"That is……"

　I hesitated for a moment and then decided to be honest.

"Because she's strong"

"..."

"You saw it Ifa, didn't you? When that girl defeated the Lesser Demon. There are probably very few people in this world with that kind of talent. I want to be her friend. By all means."

"... can't it be me?"

"Huh?"

　Ifa says as if she had thought about it.

"I can become stronger, too! I have a feeling that I can do it. Spirits are gathering little by little, and they are able to listen to my difficult requests. I feel that one day I will be able to do great things. I'm sure I won't lose to Amu-chan either. ......"

　I stopped, smiled at Ifa and said.

"I'm sorry, Ifa, but you're not strong enough."

"..."

"Can you imagine yourself being admired, feared, and coveted for your strength? That girl will eventually become like that. She has that talent."

"……I see"

　Ifa muttered softly and smiled as usual.

"...Then I'll help too. Since we're together in the girls' dormitory, I might be able to find some kind of way."

"Oh. Please."

"But... I don't want you to do something like that anymore, if you can. It makes me feel bad to hear Seika-kun being talked about in a bad way,......."

"Nn... I understand. It's also affects your reputation."

　Saying that, I stroked her soft blond hair.

　I don't actually dislike that kind of bad publicity......but it's a bad habit of mine.

"By the way, what's the rest of the reason?"

"Oh. I was just trying to make sure that Eefa doesn't complain when she declines and that they don't complain, I wanted to get the story over with right then and there. And ......."

　I say

"I have a feeling something will happen again."

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